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AP Biology: Big Idea 3 Flashcards

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6716250187Hershey-Chase ExperimentExperiment that showed that only the DNA enters a bacterial cell during infection, not protein by using radioactive S and P.0
6716250188Frederick GriffithThis person discovered transformation during an experiment that involved injecting mice with smooth S cells, rough R cells, heat-killed S cells, and heat-killed S cells with living R cells.1
6716250189Erwin ChargaffDiscovered that DNA composition varies, but the amount of adenine is always the same as thymine and the amount of cytosine is always the same as guanine.2
6716250190Avery, MacLeod, McCartyDetermined that DNA was Griffith's "Transforming Factor."3
6716250191Rosalind FranklinUsed X-ray diffraction to discover the double-helical structure of DNA.4
6716250192Watson and CrickDeveloped the double helix model of DNA.5
6716250193nucleic acidAn organic compound, either RNA or DNA, whose molecules are made up of one or two chains of nucleotides and carry genetic information.6
6716250194nucleotideMonomer of nucleic acids made up of a sugar, phosphate, base7
6716250195purinesNitrogenous bases that have a double ring structure (AG)8
6716250196pyrimidinesNitrogenous bases that have a single ring structure (CT)9
6716250197antiparallelThe opposite arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbones in a DNA double helix.10
6716250198phosphodiester bondStrong covalent bond linking the sugar in one nucleotide to the phosphate of another. (BACKBONE SEALER!)11
6716250199DNA replicationThe process whereby DNA makes a copy of itself prior to cell division.12
6716250200semiconservative modelType of DNA replication in which the replicated double helix consists of one old strand, derived from the old molecule, and one newly made strand.13
6716250201DNA polymeraseDNA replication enzyme that adds nucleotides in the 5 to 3 (as it reads in the 3 to 5)14
6716250202transcriptionSynthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template.15
6716250203lagging strandA discontinuously synthesized DNA strand that elongates by means of Okazaki fragments, each synthesized in a 5' to 3' direction away from the replication fork.16
6716250204leading strandThe new continuous complementary DNA strand synthesized along the template strand in the mandatory 5' to 3' direction.17
6716250205primaseAn enzyme that joins RNA nucleotides to make the primer using the parental DNA strand as a template.18
6716250206messenger RNA (mRNA)Carries genetic message from the DNA to he protein-synthesizing machinery of the cell.19
6716250207Okazaki fragmentsSmall fragments of DNA produced on the lagging strand during DNA replication, joined later by DNA ligase to form a complete strand.20
6716250208DNA helicaseAn enzyme that untwists the double helix at the replication forks, separating the two parental strands and making them available as template strands.21
6716250209translationThe synthesis of a polypeptide, which occurs under the direction of mRNA.22
6716250210RNA editingThe modification of mRNA before it leaves the nucleus that is unique to eukaryotes.23
6716250211codonsmRNA base triplets.24
6716250212RNA polymeraseEnzyme that links together the growing chain of ribonucleotides during transcription.25
6716250213promoterA specific nucleotide sequence in DNA that binds RNA polymerase and indicates where to start transcribing mRNA.26
6716250214TATA boxCrucial promoter DNA sequence.27
6716250215RNA splicingProcess by which the introns are removed from RNA transcripts and the remaining exons are joined together.28
6716250216intronsNoncoding segments of nucleic acid that lie between coding sequences.29
6716250217exonsCoding segments of eukaryotic DNA.30
6716250218transfer RNA (tRNA)Interpreter of a series of codons along a mRNA molecule.31
6716250219ribosomal RNA (rRNA)RNA molecules that construct ribosomal subunits.32
6716250220ribosomal P siteSite that holds tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide chain. (PEPTIDE)33
6716250221ribosomal A siteSite that holds the tRNA carrying the next amino acid to be added to the chain. (ADD)34
6716250222ribosomal E siteSite where discharged tRNAs leave the ribosome. (EXIT)35
6716250223transformationA change in genotype and phenotype due to the assimilation of external DNA by a cell.36
6716250224gene expressionConversion of the information encoded in a gene first into messenger RNA and then to a protein.37
6716250225recombinant DNAA DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources.38
6716250226restriction enzymeA degradative enzyme that recognizes and cuts up DNA (including that of certain phages) that is foreign to a bacterium.39
6716250227DNA ligaseA linking enzyme essential for DNA replication; catalyzes the covalent bonding of the 3' end of a new DNA fragment to the 5' end of a growing chain.40
6716250228denaturationIn proteins, a process in which a protein unravels and loses its native conformation, thereby becoming biologically inactive. In DNA, the separation of the two strands of the double helix.41
6716250229polymerase chain reaction (PCR)A technique for amplifying DNA in vitro by incubating with special primers, DNA polymerase molecules, and nucleotides.42
6716250230gel electrophoresisThe separation of nucleic acids or proteins, on the basis of their size and electrical charge, by measuring their rate of movement through an electrical field in a gel.43
6716250231plasmidSmall extra-chromosomal, double-stranded circular DNA molecules.44
6716250232RNA primerShort segment of RNA used to initiate synthesis of a new strand of DNA during replication.45
6716250233reverse transcriptaseA polymerase that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template.46
6716250234somatic cellAny of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells.47
6716250235centromereThe region of the chromosome that holds the two sister chromatids together during mitosis.48
6716250236mitosisCell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes.49
6716250237interphasePeriod of the cell cycle between cell divisions.50
6716250238S phaseThe synthesis phase of the cell cycle; the portion of interphase during which DNA is replicated.51
6716250239cancerDisease that results from disruptions of cell cycle control.52
6716250240kinetochore microtubulesConnects the centrosome with the kinetochore in the centromere region of the chromosome.53
6716250241growth factorsRegulatory proteins that ensure that the events of cell division occur in the proper sequence and at the correct rate.54
6716250242alleleOne of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristic, such as hair color.55
6716250243crossing overNonsister chromatids exchanging DNA segments.56
6716250244diploid cellHas two sets of chromosomes.57
6716250245fertilizationUnion of gametes.58
6716250246gametesA haploid cell such as an egg or sperm that unite during sexual reproduction to produce a diploid zygote.59
6716250247genesUnits of heredity made up of DNA.60
6716250248haploidOne set of chromosomes.61
6716250249homologous chromosomesPair of chromosomes that are the same size, same appearance and same genes.62
6716250250zygoteFertilized egg; carries one set of chromosomes from each parent.63
6716250251law of independent assortmentThe random distribution of the pairs of genes on different chromosomes to the gametes.64
6716250252law of segregationAllele pairs separate or segregate during gamete formation, and randomly unite at fertilization. Due to separation of homologous chromosomes in Meiosis I.65
6716250253true-breedingOrganisms that, when reproducing, create offspring of all the same variety.66
6716250254hybridizationThe crossing of two different true-breeding parents.67
6716250255dominant alleleAn allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.68
6716250256recessive alleleAn allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present69
6716250257homozygousAn organism having a pair of identical alleles for a character, either dominant or recessive.70
6716250258phenotypeAn organism's traits.71
6716250259genotypeAn organism's genetic makeup.72
6716250260codominanceWhen which the phenotypes of both alleles are exhibited in the heterozygote.73
6716250261incomplete dominanceCreates a blended phenotype; one allele is not completely dominant over the other.74
6716250262nondisjunctionA failure of paired homologous chromosomes to separate during meiosis which results in an abnormal chromosome number.75
6716250263linked genesGenes located on the same chromosome that tend to be inherited together in genetic crosses.76
6716250264sex linked genesGenes located on the sex chromosomes.77
6716250265operonA unit of genetic function common in bacteria and phages, consisting of coordinately regulated clusters of genes with related functions.78
6716250266operatorRegion of DNA that controls RNA polymerase's access to a set of genes with related functions.79
6716250267repressorA protein that suppresses the transcription of a gene.80
6716250268Trp operonAn example of a repressible operon.81
6716250269Lac operonAn example of an inducible operon.82
6716250270transcription factorsProteins that bind to specific DNA sequences or other regulatory proteins that promote or block RNA polymerase.83
6716250271hormonesCirculating chemical signals that are formed in specialized cells, travel in body fluids, and act on specific target cells.84
6716250272ligandA molecule that specifically binds to another molecule, often a larger one.85
6716250273protein kinaseThe enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from ATP to protein.86
6716250274receptionThe target cell's detection of a signal molecule coming from outside the cell.87
6716250275transductionThe binding of the signal molecule changes the receptor protein in some way.88
6716250276responseThe transduced signal finally triggers a specific cellular response.89
6716250277endocrine signalingType of cell signalling where signals released by one cell type can travel long distances to target cells of another cell type.90
6716250278cell body (soma)Contains most of a neuron's organelles and its nucleus.91
6716250279dendriteshighly branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons92
6716250280axonLong nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron.93
6716250281synapseThe junction between two neurons or between a neuron and a muscle.94
6716250282neurotransmittersChemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons.95
6716250283membrane potentialThe voltage across a cell's plasma membrane.96
6716250284resting potentialThe membrane potential of a neuron that is at rest.97
6716250285depolarizationThe process during the action potential when sodium is rushing into the cell causing the interior to become more positive.98
6716250286voltage-gated ion channelsChannels that open or close in response to a change in the membrane potential.99
6716250287action potentialA neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon.100
6716250288repolarizationReturn of the cell to resting state, caused by reentry of potassium into the cell while sodium exits the cell.101
6716250289thresholdThe minimum membrane potential that must be reached in order for an action potential to be generated.102
6716250290myelin sheathA layer of electrical insulation that surrounds the axon.103
6716250291sodium-potassium pumpa carrier protein that uses ATP to actively transport sodium ions out of a cell and potassium ions into the cell.104
6716250292point mutationA mutation that affects a single nucleotide, usually by substituting one nucleotide for another.105
6716250293frameshift mutationMutation that shifts the "reading frame" of the genetic message by the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide.106
6716250294bacteriophageA virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.107
6716250295lytic cycleViral life cycle in which the viral DNA exists as a separate molecule within the bacterial cell. Results in the destruction of the infected cell.108
6716250296lysogenic cycleViral life cycle characterized by integration of the viral nucleic acid into the host bacterium's genome. The viral genetic material can be transmitted to daughter cells.109

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